Lottie Tomlinson attends Houses of Parliament with bereavement charity

visited London’s Houses of Parliament on Wednesday for the launch of a bereavement charity’s research after she lost her mother and her sister Félicité.

The sister of , 23, met with Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health Dr Rosena Allin-Khan to talk about bereavement support across the UK.

She also visited the Palace of Westminster for the Sue Ryder charity’s launch event to mark their research ‘around the availability and impact of bereavement support’.

It is a cause close to Lottie’s heart after she lost her mother Johannah Deakin to leukaemia in December 2016 and her sister Félicité died in March 2019 from an accidental overdose.

Lottie, who has been an ambassador for the Sue Ryder charity since 2020, spoke to Rosena about the findings of the charity’s bereavement research report, according to .

Speaking of the need for bereavement support, Lottie said: ‘So many people get to such a dark place when they are grieving because they are not able to get the help that they need and it’s shocking that there isn’t a bereavement pathway in place already.’

She went on to explain that people call their GP when they realise they need extra support but the services are overwhelmed and she said it leads people to ‘give up’ asking for help.

Reflecting on her own experiences with grief, she continued: ‘I relied on the support of my friends and family after my mum passed away but sought professional support after my sister died and it made a huge difference. 

‘Grief is so overwhelming and painful and I can understand why people don’t want to feel it, but you can end up in a bad place if you try to numb it and push those feelings away.’

Lottie is backing Sue Ryder calling on the government to commit to development a bereavement pathway, which would include offering people help through counselling, prescription drugs and financial support.

After the meeting at the Houses of Parliament, Lottie took to Instagram to reflect on the experience and said she was ‘honoured’ to be part of the charity’s campaign.

In a lengthy caption, she penned: ‘Truly honoured to be part of this movement @suerydercharity we were in Parliament again last night for the launch of their new research around the availability and impact of bereavement support in the UK. 

‘Research found that 70 per cent of people said they were unable to access the support they would have liked after a bereavement. 

‘Sue Ryder are now calling on the government to create a specific bereavement pathway so people can access the support they need together we can make a difference.’

She also shared a gallery of snaps showing herself putting her blossoming baby bump on full display as she posed outside the Palace of Westminster.

Lottie, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, was the epitome of elegance in a stunning black gown that showed off her baby bump.

She completed her ensemble with a pair of beige heels and swept her golden tresses back into a sleek up-do for the occasion. 

Lottie accentuated her striking features with a dramatic slick of mascara and a touch of pink lipstick as she posed ahead of the meeting.

The Tanologist creator was also joined by her partner Lewis, who cut a suave figure in a navy suit and a light blue shirt.

Another picture showed her posing inside the building while holding a sign which read: ‘I support Sue Ryder’s call to improve bereavement support.’

She also shared a glimpse at handouts from the event, including a bereavement card which said: ‘I don’t know what to say but I am sending you so much love.’

Lottie tragically lost her sister Félicité in March 2019 after she died from an accidental overdose of cocaine, anxiety drug Xanax and painkillers.

Last August, Lottie shared a heartbreaking tribute for her younger sister on what would have been her 21st birthday. 

At the time, she took to Instagram Stories to honour her sibling, sharing a glamorous photo of the pair at an event alongside a heartfelt caption.

‘My beautiful baby sister and best friend would have been 21 today. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you. I miss my sister but more so I miss my friend,’ Lottie wrote.  

‘You were the best person to talk to about everything. I think of what you would have been like today, what you would have been doing.

‘But instead you’re safe with Mama looking after us all from up there,’ she continued, referencing their mother Johannah, who passed away in December 2016, aged 43, following a battle with leukaemia. 

‘Until we meet again, I will make you proud x,’ Lottie concluded.

Lottie also shared a quote by Morgan Harper Nichols, which read: ‘Going through things you never thought you’d go through will only take you places you never thought you’d get to.’ 

In 2020, Lottie discussed the tragic deaths of her mother and sister and how she has ‘got to a good point’ with her grief after undergoing counselling.

Appearing on Lorraine, the social media star revealed getting therapy after her sister Félicité’s death helped her with the grieving process.

Discussing her mother’s death, she said: ‘It was really fast. That made it harder. We didn’t have time to get our head around things and process it. She was the best. 

‘She made her whole life about us and did everything for us. She was the sweetest, kindest woman.

Lorraine asked: ‘And then three years later, your poor sister. Have you learned anything that has helped you?’

Lottie said: ‘I feel like I was able to deal with it a lot better with my sister. I had picked up a few coping mechanisms. 

‘I got extra help when my sister died than when my mum died. I want people to know that you can get help. It does really help with the grieving process when you go and speak to someone. 

‘A lot of people try and deal with it themselves but I think it’s important that you don’t go through it alone,’ she said.

The influencer said the support from Louis’ fans as well as Sue Ryder had enabled her to manage her grief.

As well as Louis and Lottie, Johannah was also mother to twins Daisy and purchase alprozolam usa Phoebe, 18, and twins Ernest and Doris. She was also grandmother to Louis’ son Freddie, five.

A statement released to MailOnline following Johannah’s death read: ‘It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016. 

‘Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukaemia that required immediate and continuous treatment. We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.’ 

Three years later, Félicité was found collapsed and lifeless at her fourth-floor studio apartment in Earls Court, west London.

Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said at an inquest afterwards: ‘It was a perfect storm, the OxyCodone, the alpraxolam [Xanax] and cocaine. I find no evidence this was a deliberate act to end her life.’

After hearing she had turned to drugs following the tragic death of her mother, the coroner recorded a misadventure verdict. 

For confidential support in the UK 24 hours a day 365 days a year, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org 

For bereavement resources including practical and emotional advice to encourage conversations about grief, visit .